TNA tells Chandrika to shun JVP

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 September 2002, 19:28 GMT]The Tamil National Alliance Thursday said that
President Chandrika Kumaratunge should not take any
decisions regarding the peace process on the guidance
of the Janata Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).”Instead it is
essential for her to take decisions in the interests
of the country and of finding a permanent and just
solution to the ethnic conflict,” said
Mr.R.Sampanthan, leader of the TNA parliamentary group
in a statement issued Thursday, welcoming the
de-proscription of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam.

Mr.Sampanthan further states: -

“We wholeheartedly welcome the de-proscription of the
LTTE by the United National Front government. The
assurance given by the Prime Minister to the TNA few
weeks back that the ban on the LTTE would be lifted
ten days ahead of the peace talks has been fulfilled.
This step has given confidence on the proposed peace
talks scheduled to begin on September 16th at
Thailand.

“Some elements are always active in the country to
oppose political solution to the Tamil national
question. The government should not give room for this
handful of persons. Instead the government should
firmly act to find a permanent and just solution to
the conflict to ensure stable peace in the country.

“The present President was elected to power first as
Prime Minister and later the executive head of the
country in 1994 general and presidential election
respectively with the massive support of all the three
communities on the assurance that she would find a
permanent and just solution to the conflict. Hence
there is no justification for her to act as an
obstacle to take forward the present peace process.

“The President should not take any decision in regard
to the peace moves on the guidance of the Janatha
Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). It is essential for her to
assist the peace process on the basis to find a just
and permanent solution to the conflict in the interest
of the country.

“At this juncture we appeal to the President to
extend her wholehearted support of herself and her
party to the peace efforts initiated by the
government,” states Mr.Sampanthan in his statement.